The 2022 Helicopter Association International (HAI) HELI-EXPO wrapped up March 10 after four days that brought more than 13,000 people from 72 countries to Dallas.
“The global rotorcraft community demonstrated an eagerness to put the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting social and business disruptions behind them,” HAI officials noted.
Attendees packed a show floor that hosted 590 exhibitors featuring the latest aircraft, engines, avionics, and other goods and services for rotorcraft and unmanned aircraft businesses. More than 40 rotorcraft were spread across the show floor.
“This was such a dynamic event, thanks to the extremely positive response by the industry,” says James Viola, HAI president and CEO. “I can see that our industry —and our people — could not wait to get together in person.”
The 2021 show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As is traditional, HAI HELI-EXPO kicked off with the HAI Safety Symposium, featuring first-person stories from pilots who survived accidents, with the lessons others can use to avoid similar experiences.
Directly inside the main entrance to the show floor was the HAI Rotor Safety Zone, which included virtual-reality training devices, a helicopter configured to test preflight inspection capabilities, the 56 Seconds to Live IFR training program, and representatives of aviation safety programs from around the world. More than 2,000 attendees took advantage of the Rotor Safety Challenge education sessions, according to HAI officials.
“Sharing safety information throughout our industry and around the world is critical to the ongoing health of rotorcraft operations. We have got to have a safe industry to have a prosperous industry,” says Viola. “The active interest in our safety programming shown by attendees is a sign of our strengthening safety culture.”
Plans are already underway for HAI’s 75th anniversary celebration at HAI HELI-EXPO 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Featuring the theme “Celebrate!” the show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, March 6–9, with exhibits open March 7–9.
For more information: Rotor.org.